[purpleRac3r]

Tocci, here's my $0.02: the magnetic ride is NOT a must. If it were absolutely required, it would be standard, not an option. I have a Z51 coupe without the mag ride, and with over 8100 miles on the clock, can honestly say the car rides and handles just fine! And note, the Z51 is a moderate amount firmer than the non-Z51. I have driven my car almost daily, including on crappy Missouri roads and in really crappy winter weather. I have not missed the mag ride at all! I have also driven on a couple of 6+ hour road trips, and not felt discomfort from the suspension even on the longer trips. With only a very small percentage of road craters do I feel a harsh jolt, and I try to avoid them whenever possible in any car I drive. The Stingray is fantastic all around!

Now, adding the magnetic ride to me would be like adding a second layer of icing to a cake. It would just make the ride that much sweeter. Keep in mind, too, the mag ride really shines at the limits - it allows the car to handle that little bit better on the track, or reduce that particular pavement jolt to a smoother bump. It cannot, however, make the car float like a super-luxury cruiser. I mean, the ultra-low profile run-flat tires will have some inherent harshness simply due to the lack of flexibility in the rubber. And the Stingray is at its essence a race car built for the street.

One of my concerns for the magnetic ride has been cost of maintenance down the road. They work spectacular when new, but like any shock, are really a wear item. While under warranty, any failure is a non-issue, Chevy picks up the bill. But once that warranty runs out, replacements are on you - to the tune of around $1000.00 each! And we all know that once one shock fails, the others are probably pretty much worn out too. As I plan to keep my Stingray for many years, I really didn't want that kind of future cost to try and budget for. Once my shocks wear out, I can get factory replacements for perhaps 1/10th the cost, or even step up to some nice aftermarket manual adjustable shocks for about 1/5th the cost.

I think in the long run, you should get it or not based on what you yourself feel about it. I suggest finding some local Stingray owners and see if they will take you for a spin. That way you can experience the ride with both suspensions, and most Corvette owners will be happy to accommodate you! I took a friend for a road trip in mine when he asked the same question as you have, so he could experience the non-mag ride. He ultimately ordered his Z51 convertible without the mag-ride either!